Eldritch Horror Theatre

”What are we supposed to do? Even the Night Watchers can’t push us around like this! Slinging mud at us with absolute impunity!”

Watching the three of them walk away, Huang Jianyuan finally caught his breath and let out a suppressed growl.

”Father, say something!”

In all his years, he had never been subjected to such humiliation. He wanted to eat the flesh and drink the blood of that ridiculous nobody, Fu Qian.

”What do we do...”

Huang Leji’s face was just as livid. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

”Send everyone out. Dig three feet into the earth if you have to, but find that killer. If the Night Watchers want proof, we’ll give them proof!”

He spat the words through gritted teeth. With a wave of his hand, a shadow darted out from the background.

”Keep a close eye on him...”

He pointed after Fu Qian.”He isn’t a Night Watcher... And our Huang Family won’t be extorted by anyone.”

...

”Truly an outstanding land of illustrious people!”

As they left Huang Manor, Fu Qian looked back at the massive mountain peak bathed in the setting sun and let out a sigh of admiration.

Captain Qiao’s mouth twitched. The shock from earlier had been too great; he couldn’t even muster an awkward smile right now.

Fu Qian glanced at him. The fact that Huang Jianyuan had come out to greet them instead of his father meant Captain Qiao hadn’t spilled everything when he notified the Huang family. The man at least knew how to exercise some discretion.

The situation in West Plain City likely involved a tacit understanding between the upper echelons of the Night Watchers and the Huang family. Stationing someone like Captain Qiao here was proof enough.

The accusation, of course, was purely his own fabrication. But regardless of whether the Huang family felt wronged today, there was no time to bicker with them. He needed them to act.

They were facing more than just a lunatic who enjoyed torturing people to death; there was a looming disaster that could strike at any moment.

As a massive entity sustained by the blood and flesh of this region, a powerful clan like this had its own responsibilities. They couldn’t just wash their hands of it by claiming innocence.

He had to admit, Su Gao was sharp. Even without any prior communication, she had immediately backed him up with a firm stance as soon as he spoke, saving him a lot of breath.

As for whether the Huang family would grow desperate enough to lash out?

Fu Qian wasn’t worried about that at all.

According to the intelligence he had gathered, these prominent aristocratic clans might be formidable, but they were completely outmatched by the premier organization of transcendents.

In fact, Fu Qian was curious about how such an organization had even been built. Logically speaking, it entirely defied sociology.

Even if the Huang family were given a hundred times more courage, Fu Qian didn’t think they would dare lay a finger on the Night Watchers.

The Night Watchers might have had an unspoken agreement with them before, but that was merely a gesture of respect toward a local powerhouse, affording them a little extra leeway.

However, the same didn’t necessarily apply to him.

Even before leaving Huang Manor, Fu Qian had noticed a distinct gaze fixed on him. He was certain he was being watched.

Sigh. An unofficial title like expert consultant really doesn’t carry any weight!

...

By the time the three of them returned to the Night Watchers Base, the sky had already grown dark.

Lu Jun and his partner hadn’t returned yet. They were likely working overtime out in the city.

The men from the Huang family were probably doing the same.

As the mastermind behind all this, Fu Qian stretched lazily.

He had done everything he needed to do. Now, it was time to quietly observe the changes.

Although the base wasn’t large, it still had guest rooms for transient personnel. After settling into the room arranged by Captain Qiao, Fu Qian found the conditions surprisingly excellent.

Not only was the room absurdly spacious, but it was also fully equipped with all kinds of amenities.

The walls themselves were made of special materials, pushing the safety rating off the charts. Furthermore, if he wasn’t mistaken, even the curtains possessed a significant perception-blocking effect.

Once the curtains were drawn, the outside world couldn’t detect the slightest trace of what was happening inside.

How paranoid—I mean, how deep their pockets are!

With such an extravagant organization, shouldn’t I consider nabbing an official post if the opportunity arises?

Fu Qian thought to himself as he pulled the curtains shut.

I wonder if doing this will make the tail who followed me all the way back a little anxious?

That very night, Fu Qian got his answer.

Waking from his slumber, despite the darkness of the room, Fu Qian was absolutely certain something had slipped inside.

In truth, sleep had essentially become a recreational activity for him at this point. If necessary, he could go days without it and feel no ill effects.

But years of habit meant he still maintained a special fondness for a good bed.

The intruder didn’t seem to be a living creature.

Fu Qian clearly sensed a pitch-black bug scuttling in along the baseboards.

While it had the shape of an insect, its body seemed to be composed of intangible smoke.

It was most likely a special technique used by a transcendent, conjured up for reconnaissance.

It seemed the person outside really was anxious, to actually dare pull such a stunt inside a Night Watchers Base.

The little bug crawled across the floor for a bit before stopping, seemingly trying to confirm if he was actually in the room.

Fu Qian held his breath and concentrated, dropping his heartbeat to a near standstill.

Ever since he activated Feast, doing this had become child’s play for him.

Sure enough, the little bug seemed to hesitate, unsure if it should move closer to investigate.

A moment later, the bug finally moved, inching its way toward the bed.

Fu Qian had intended to play with it a little longer, but in the next second, there was a sharp tearing sound.

A fierce flash of a blade pierced straight through the wall and cleanly sliced across the bug’s body.

The bug was split right down the middle, immediately dissolving into a wisp of smoke.

He could feel the consciousness connected to it tremble before rapidly retreating.

Fu Qian sat up in bed. Immediately after, a knock came at the door.

He got up and opened it, finding Su Gao standing outside.

”Mr. Fu, someone was spying on you,” Su Gao said respectfully.

”Would you like me to clean them up?”

Isn’t this a bit too respectful?!

After discovering a threat, she actually asks for my permission before deciding to wipe them out.

It looked as though the moment he gave the word, Su Gao would immediately go slaughter the peeping tom.

”There’s no need. Keep them alive; they’re still useful.”

Fu Qian blinked. He hadn’t acted so arrogantly at the Huang Family today without good reason.

He had already memorized the aura of the bug’s owner.

Hearing Fu Qian’s words, Su Gao nodded. Without pressing him on what use they would be, she silently took her leave.

Fu Qian closed the door and stared at the long gash carved into the wall.

Su Gao was indeed staying in the room right next door.

He could sense that after returning to her room, Su Gao still hadn’t gone to sleep. Instead, she stood rigidly by the window, utterly motionless.

For a fleeting moment, she seemed devoid of all vital signs, as if she had turned into a literal wooden puppet.

Her condition really is quite special!

Naturally, the gash in the wall couldn’t be hidden from Captain Qiao and the others. When Fu Qian saw them the next day, despite their bright eyes and stern expressions, their occasionally wandering gazes gave him the faint impression that their souls were burning with gossip. They were probably spending half their time guessing the nature of his relationship with Su Gao.

Before anyone could say anything, Captain Qiao received a message and stepped out. A moment later, he returned with a peculiar look on his face.

”The head of the Huang family wishes to visit. He says he has information to share with us.”